Reading And Loving

Jed and I are doing what we used to do before we had children. We’re going to bed and reading for awhile. This seems like such a luxury lately and I’ve missed this habit. I think we used to do this before we had Wifi too -you know way back in 1999..so we could not bring work or Facebook to bed. Instead we just had a book and a warm body to be next to.

Since the New Year, I’ve been shutting down my computer early, not even making it to the 10pm news, and heading up to bed to read.

Jed never quit reading before sleep. And I’m glad I’m getting back into the habit.

What we are all reading and loving right now:

Jed is finishing the last book in George R. R. Martin’s Game Of Thrones Series. I have no idea what it’s about or how it is – but he’s read them all now, so let’s just assume they must be okay. I was going to ask him for a review – but I didn’t want to interrupt his reading.

Esther finished Kate DiCamillo’s latest book last month – Flora & Ulysses(Winner of the 2014 Newbury Medal!). We’ve read and loved all of Kate’s books(and not just because she’s local and we’ve met her), but because she fills her books with wonder and love. Esther said it was a super fun book to read and it made her laugh and she loved the comics!

Eloise has read so many books lately that I wasn’t even sure which one to pick – so I’m going to pick one that we’ve both read lately. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Eloise knew a little about the holocaust from reading The Diary Of Anne Frank and discussions at home, but I don’t think she fully understood how devastating it was until she read this book. Narrated by Death – The Book Thief is so unique from any other book I’ve ever read. A story about a foster girl learning to love and trust again, while learning to read and the power of words. The characters in this book are so rich and interesting and the storyline mesmerizing. Eloise had a few questions as she read the book as it is historical, so she wanted some clarifications of what and why as the war progressed in Germany. I would say that she is on the ‘young-side’ for reading this – but she thoroughly enjoyed it, as did I. It is probably the book I would recommended the most to anyone looking for a powerful read with a beautiful, yet tough message.

Astrid is reading(and having read to her) as many books as humanly possible. That’s the beautiful thing about being the youngest child – your bookshelves overflow as older siblings outgrow books and they become yours. I think we will need to open a library just for Astrid and start moving out furniture that no longer fits. I know it’s time to go through some of our old board books but I just cannot part with any of them yet. So Astrid owns a gazillion books. So I will just tell you about one of her favorites that I just happen to read for her class last week.

First a funny story though – I actually read this book for Eloise’s class too back when she was in preschool, and as I finished reading, a little precocious girl stood right up and pointed at me and said “That was the most boring book that I’ve ever heard!” Gotta love kids. Also, that is why I don’t teach preschool.

The book is Millions Of Cats by Wanda Gag. There is not a children’s book that I love more. Maybe it’s because I have a link to New Ulm, where Wanda is from, or maybe it’s because I love cats…but really it’s because the story is so sweet, the prose so lovely for both kids and adults – with repetition, an interesting story, lovely illustrations, and a nice moral to the story about humility. Who doesn’t want to read about hundreds and thousands and millions and billions of cats. If you don’t own this book – buy it now and you will keep it around for your grandkids.

What are you reading and loving right now?

*Affiliate links above

About Tracy

My name is Tracy Morrison and I live in sunny Minnesota. I'm neither British nor a nun - I'm just a Midwesterner with a headache. This is mainly a humor and lifestyle blog that documents the lighter side of parenting. I am an ex-corporate ladder climber turned freelance writer, social media manager, world traveler, and marathon runner. I would love for you to contact me at tracy@sellabitmum.com

Now that I have a better understanding of what the book thief is about, I will give it a read soon! Right now I’m going through my old books and reading “one last time” if I don’t have a connection to them, I’m donating them. Gotta spread the love of reading.katie recently posted..Peace Perspective IV: Risks

I am listening to Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen. I listen to books while driving car pool exercise/housework. I’m reading The Love Wars, by Alison Heller, and finishing up The Little Book of Thin, by Lauren Slayton. I’m reading the Magic Tree House books with my youngest. My daughter and I are reading the new American Girl Book.Allie recently posted..My New Design!

My fifth grader just finished The Book Thief for school. She liked it, but definitely felt all of the feelings at the end.
I just finished Between Shades of Gray (not at all related to the other Shades of Grey). It was a sobering educational experience to read that book.
Also, I still can’t part with a few of our board books. They are packed up for grand kids, I guess.Shannon recently posted..What I Read – January

I just finished 11/22/63 by Stephen King and now I’m looking for the next good read. The Book Thief sounds good, I think I’ll give that a try.
My husband and I were just talking last night about “shutting down” more, I feel the urge not to spend that much time in the virtual world anymore, but in the real one.Kerstin @ Auer Life recently posted..Thank You, Canada

I loved The Book Thief and I’m so glad you did, too! Remind me how old Eloise is again? I’m curious to get more of her take on it. My girls are NOT ready, but when they are, I think it would be a nice way to get into it….

I’m reading Jennie’s memoir right now and am plowing through it! Looks like we’re going to get a big snow here starting tomorrow, so it’s possible I’ll get to curl up and finish it in the next few days!

I love this idea of reading in bed together. I just started a completely frou-frou, non-thinking book a few days ago because I needed something light because oh-how-the-winter-is-getting-to-me. But I am looking forward to some good books again soon.christine recently posted..Pardon Me, Do You Happen to Have Some Super Glue?

I am busy reading “Death Dance” by Linda Fairstein. She is the DA for New York that started up their SVU …the one Law&Order SVU is based on. Love reading fiction that has some factual information in it. My daughter is busy reading Enid Blyton’s “The Faraway Tree” and loving it.

I’m reading Brain on Fire, but after finishing Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects, I’m having a hard time getting into something else. It’s like when you finish a fabulous book, you almost don’t want to start another one.Leigh Ann recently posted..could you go hands free?

I’m reading the Book Thief too! We had seen the movie and our oldest son said he had liked the book, and there’s always more to the book than in the movie, so I bought it for my Kobo and am loving the differentness of it. Excellently written too! Millions of Cats was a favorite when I was a child. I think it’s the same book. Looks like I remember it! I’m off to read in bed soon, back to the Book Thief.

I just finished reading a couple of memoirs: Jennie’s A Lady in France, and Sonia Marsh’s Freeways to Flip-Flops. Both wonderful. I have Tell the Wolves I’m Home and Rachel and Leah (Orson Scott Card) on my reading desk, and I just downloaded all of the Anne of Green Gables onto my Kindle. I have some pages to get through.Andrea recently posted..As Charged

Welcome

Hi and welcome to Sellabit Mum. My name is Tracy Morrison and I live in sunny Minnesota. I'm neither British nor a nun - I'm just a Midwesterner with a headache. This is mainly a humor and lifestyle blog that documents the lighter side of parenting three girls. I run marathons and love to talk about fitness. We also love to travel and model social good with our family. I am an ex-corporate ladder climber turned writer, social media maven(not really) and ruler of my own little universe(very small). Aren't we all. I would love for you to contact me at tracy@sellabitmum.com